Injury-Riddled Texans Blasted by Joe Flacco And Browns at Home

The Houston Texans' playoff hopes took a hit on Sunday afternoon in a blowout loss to the Cleveland Browns.

It was not a Merry Christmas Eve for the fans in attendance at NRG Stadium on Sunday as the home-standing Houston Texans fell 36-22 to Joe Flacco and the Cleveland Browns in the NFL's Week 16.

Houston (8-7) is still reeling from a multitude of injuries to key playmakers this week, including rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud who has yet to exit concussion protocol after going down two weeks ago against the New York Jets. His replacement, Case Keenum, threw for less than 100 yards in the loss on Sunday as the Texans offense struggled to produce much of substance on their home field. Davis Mills also took snaps at quarterback, throwing two scores late in the game. 

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The first points for Houston in the game came via a 98-yard kick return for a touchdown by running back Dameon Pierce in the early portions of the second quarter, and after that explosive play, the Texans did not find the end zone again until the fourth quarter when the result of the game was already decided.

With the loss, the Texans' playoff hopes grow dimmer in what has otherwise been a promising turnaround season in Houston. They have two regular season games remaining in an attempt to reach the postseason, both of which come from within the division against the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts.

Texans Suffer 3 Critical Early Injuries vs. Browns

Kickoff next week against the Titans is set for 12 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised on FOX.